Feral Cat with Leg Problem

[tbrinkley]

Hello! I am new & found your site while trying to look for some answers concerning a feral cat we have. We live in the country & started caring for a feral cat about 2.5 yrs ago. Mr.Kitty has had SOME injuries, but all of which I was able to correct. He took off this past Saturday night & JUST NOW came home (Wed. morning). Only when he came home, he was limping on his front left paw. He tries to put a little weight on it, but you can tell he's not crazy about it. I checked it out & cannot find any wounds indicating he was in a fight, or suffered a bite. It LOOKS a little swollen but he will not let me mess with it too much (pulls the paw away). Can you offer any suggestions on possible injuries like this that is "common" with feral cats? I would like to help him but I do not know what to do first or what would be best?

[LisaLisa]

It really could be anything from an insect bite to an animal bite to having a broken bone.

The first thing to do is call your vet and see if this kitty "today" could be seen to find out my this furbaby is hurting...

Best of luck to you...

[candylilacs]

One of the ferals by my apartment (we're moving in a month to a real live house!) who really isn't feral because everyone feeds him and he loves being petted, somehow sliced his paw. It got infected.

I ended up taking him to the vet and he was issued Clamavox (an anti-biotic) he took it for two days and then hid from us. Luckily, the vet said it was healing nicely and I've since seen him and he's running around like a crazy cat, so his foot's better.

That's the problem with ferals, until you adopt them, there's only so much you can do.

c.

[tbrinkley]

Well, thanks for the advice! I have sent a fax to our vet asking them about it. Our problem is this is a true blue FERAL cat. I am the only one he will come to. I have tried picking him up....but he really puts up a fight. So I don't puch the issue. He too had a leg wound once...only I think someone tried to shoot him with a pellet gun. I cleaned, dressed & treated it for several weeks...and it finally healed! This is a little different. Even if I got him into the vet's office...the cost would be out of this world. They would start with blood work & the whole 9 yards. We cannot afford this right now, nor is he able to be an "inside" cat. He has a cat house for the winter time that he just loves. Lots of food & fresh water. I'm waiting to hear from our vet for some more suggestions. Thanks!

[candylilacs]

The local Animal Samaritans or even local animal shelter has sliding scale fees and lowered fees for veterinary care.

I take my feral cats to them and they spay and neuter them for free and shots are $12 for the series. I've since adopted two of the ferals into my home.

There are lower-cost options out there for everyone. However they are limited time-wise so you have to make appointments, so make one today!

c.

[Traci]

Bloodwork wouldn't be necessary for an injury of this type. An experienced vet can find a puncture wound or abcess upon exam. If he can't determine an abcess, he may be able to determine a sprain or fracture, in which case, a fracture would require an x-ray to locate it, splinting to set it, antibiotics, and wound care topicals if there is an open injury that would expose bone or muscle.

You won't know until this kitty is seen. Sounds like he's in a great deal of pain, play it safe for him and get him seen promptly.